Actively Recruiting
Analysis of Inflammatory Biomarker Changes in Dry Blood Spot Versus Venous Blood Samples
Led by McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · Updated on 2026-03-27
50
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Lead Sponsor
S
Sensifai Health
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether dried blood spot (DBS) samples can measure changes in inflammatory biomarkers as accurately as traditional venous blood samples. The study focuses on comparing these two methods following controlled physiological stressors, such as vaccination or planned events that can temporarily raise inflammation. This research aims to determine if DBS can serve as a reliable, less invasive alternative for measuring inflammation in both acute and chronic settings. The study involves collecting both venous blood samples and DBS samples from participants. Venous samples will be processed and stored under controlled conditions, while DBS samples will be collected via finger prick onto filter paper, dried, and stored with desiccants following validated guidelines. The researchers will use a comprehensive panel that measures 48 inflammatory biomarkers to compare the results from both sample types after exposure to a physiological stressor. Participants will undergo sampling from enrollment through three days after their exposure to the stressor. Researchers will assess the agreement between inflammatory biomarker concentrations measured in DBS and venous samples. The study includes monitoring biomarker changes over this period, which helps evaluate the quality, sensitivity, and reproducibility of DBS compared to venous blood sampling. The total participation duration spans from enrollment until three days post-stressor exposure.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Analysis of Inflammatory Biomarker Changes in Dry Blood Spot Versus Venous Blood Samples
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Men or women aged 18 years or older
- Planning to receive a seasonal vaccine or have a scheduled acute stressor such as hard exercise, social event with moderate alcohol, medication change, menstruation onset, or other planned stressors
You will not qualify if you...
- Infectious symptoms (fever, cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of smell or taste) within the previous 7 days
- Recent or active use of cocaine, injection drugs, or amphetamines
- Acute worsening of a known chronic health condition within the previous 30 days (e.g., IBD, COPD, asthma, rheumatologic disease)
- Known severe allergy or intolerance to the planned vaccine
- Contraindication to the vaccine received, if applicable
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 3 days after exposure to the stressor
Participants provide venous blood and dried blood spot samples following a controlled physiological stressor to measure inflammatory biomarker changes.
1 to 2 visits depending on the timing of sample collection
Duration - Up to 3 days after exposure to the stressor
Participants' inflammatory biomarkers are observed through collected samples to compare changes over time.
Additional sample collections may occur within this period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4A 0B1
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Kristen Moran, BSc.
E
Evelyn Laferrière, BSc.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
0
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